Skip to content

SAVANNAH AFRICAN ART MUSEUM ANNOUNCES NEW DATES FOR SOME KWANZAA WORKSHOPS, PLANS AFRICAN GOODS SHOPPING OPPORTUNITIES

SAVANNAH, GA – December 7, 2021 – The Savannah African Art Museum (SAAM) is hosting a Kwanzaa workshop series on two Saturdays in December (Dec. 11 and 18) from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., and one Saturday in January (Jan. 8) from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. All workshops will be held in their Terracotta Gallery (upstairs), 201 East 37th St., Savannah. The Gallery, at the rear of the main museum, is accessible only by stairs and has no wheelchair or elevator access. This series is part of the museum’s bi-monthly workshop program and will also offer guests shopping opportunities with the Diaspora Marketplace and Ghanian Fine Artist, William Kwamena-Poh.

A short presentation on what Kwanzaa is, why it’s celebrated, and its African connection will precede each of the following “back by popular demand” workshops:

  • December 11, 2021 – African Beaded Bracelet Making: SAAM Docent and CEO of Savanna Naturals Inc., Connie Williams, will guide participants through the process of working with beads while sharing a brief history of African beading. Participants will have the choice of making a bracelet with recycled glass beads from Ghana, made by a group known as the Krobo people; terracotta beads from Mali; or Bone Batik hand-dyed beads, using a Kenyan wax relief process. Hand-made beaded items also will be available for purchase.
  • December 18, 2021 – Interactive Kwanzaa Visual Story Telling: Facilitator Kat Robertson, visual and performing artist, teacher, published poet and writer, will engage participants in an interactive Kwanzaa Visual Story Telling experience. She will introduce the Nguzo Saba (the Swahili name for the 7 Principles of Kwanzaa) and the week-long lighting of the candles that represent the 7 Principles. Using construction paper, paints, color markers and fabrics, participants in this storytelling process will select and create the Swahili principle named candle of their choice. Then they will decorate the other side of their drawing with a word or phrase that exemplifies what the principle means to them. The collective candles will be ceremoniously “lit” as all the words/phrases are woven together to create the fabric of the Kwanzaa story.

This distinctive event will stimulate the imagination and encourage creativity while fostering awareness and unity. Storytelling is a universal art that exists in every culture to pass on cultural traditions, knowledge, history, and experiences from one generation to the next. Its presence in African culture goes back to ancient times and also plays a role in passing on codes of behavior and maintaining order in the community. Hand-made Kwanzaa cards and books by the facilitator will be available for purchase.

  • January 8, 2022 – Making Affirmation Journals for the New Year: Facilitated by Billie Stultz, SAAM Executive Director/Chief Curator and artist, participants will design their own journal and be guided through the process of creating affirmations to manifest their goals for the next year. Affirmations are statements of truth. They are often used to encourage and reinforce positive thinking to create positive outcomes. Writing affirmations and revisiting them in a journal helps us to reinforce them.

In addition, from noon-4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, Savannah’s, “The Diaspora Marketplace” will be at SAAM with authentic items for sale such as clothing, jewelry, home goods, and more from some of the West and Central African countries featured in the museum’s collection. From noon-4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 23 at SAAM, attendees will have the opportunity to shop originals, limited editions, and prints of water-color images of Ghanaian scenes from Fine Artist, William Kwamena – Poh.

“Kwanzaa is a time where we celebrate family, community, and culture; and what better way to observe this holiday than by welcoming the community to learn more about African art and culture through our most popular workshops. Through this educational and interactive series, we can keep the tradition alive by making homemade gifts, telling stories, creating a positive headspace for the new year, and offering an authentic ‘taste of Africa’ shopping experience on the premises,” said SAAM Education Coordinator Lisa Jackson. “We invite families and individuals to honor the spirit of Kwanzaa with us.”

Additionally, for families who are in town over Thanksgiving weekend and looking for a unique experience, SAAM also has its “Exploring Animal Symbols in African Culture and Art” from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27. At this workshop, participants will create a piece of art representing their favorite animal or one they feel represents them by drawing, molding clay, using animal stamps, and more. It will be held in in the Terra Cotta Gallery as well.

For more information about the Kwanzaa workshops, registration, and the Kwanzaa shopping experience, please visit www.savannahafricanart.org/workshops. For more information about the shopping vendors, please visit www.diasporamarketplc.com or www.williamkfineart.net.

– ENDS –

For media inquiries, please contact Kristyn Fielding at kristyn@lesleyfrancispr.com or 229-393-6457, Hollie Barnidge at hollie@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-272-8651, or Lesley Francis at lesley@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-429-3950.